Ubisoft announcesAnno 2070, a new installment in the Anno/A.D. series of strategy games that will send the franchise to the future when it's released this winter. Here's a portion of the announcement:

Developed by Related Designs in collaboration with Blue Byte, Anno 2070 takes place in a near-future environment where climate change has forced humanity to adapt to rising sea levels that have left stretches of once-fertile land completely inhospitable. Players need to master new technologies while facing numerous ecological challenges to build their empires. Anno 2070 offers players the ability to be architects of the future and create the world of tomorrow.

“Anno 2070 is a very ambitious game that will feel both familiar and fresh to fans of the series,” said Adam Novickas, director of marketing at Ubisoft. “Due to the game’s futuristic setting, the development team wasn’t restricted by historical boundaries and was able to dream bigger than ever before. It’s a new take on a great franchise that both newcomers and longtime fans will love.”